Mystics reserve guard Taylor Hill was unconscience from three point territory (6-7 3-FG) but it wasn't nearly enough
At halftime the New York Liberty led the Washington Mystics 44-37 and Liberty forward Tina Charles had just 5 points on 2 of 8 shooting. At the end of the third quarter, the Liberty had a 70-52 lead and Charles now would have 22 points. That pretty much ended the game. The Liberty would go on to win huge, thanks to a 17 point third quarter shooting clinic from Charles, defeating the Mystics 86-68 to tie the series up 1-1 forcing a do or die game three back in New York. The Liberty jumped out early thanks to rare consecutive 4-point plays by Epiphanny Prince and consistent finishing close to the basket by center Carolyn Swords (12 points and 6 rebounds) . Mystics guard Ivory Latta (15 points) would keep the Mystics within range, and then reserve guard Taylor Hill (19 points (6-10 FG/ 6-7 3-FG) ) would light up the Liberty for 15 points in the first half to close the gap as the Liberty would go in the locker room with a 44-37 halftime lead. Then, the third quarter came. If the production from Prince and Swords were body blows then the scoring outburst from Tina Charles was the knockout. Charles would put together a ridiculous 17 point (8-11 FG) third quarter to blow the game wide open and the Mystics would never recover. "Embarrassed" is the only word Mystics Head Coach Mike Thibault could come up with when talking about the performance. The series will now head to New York for a series deciding game three on Tuesday. Mystics center Stefanie Dolson would add 8 points and 5 rebounds while the Liberty reserve guard and Georgetown Hoya great Sugar Rodgers finished with 15 points and 3 assist.
NY Liberty forward Tina Charles was unstoppable in the third quarter scoring 17 points on 8 of 11 shooting
Mystics floor general Ivory Latta kept the Mystics close early
Liberty reserve and Hoya great Sugar Rodgers was key in the blowout win scoring 15 points on 6 of 11 shooting